Loretta Hunt
Loretta Bowman Hunt, 96, former longtime Clark County Clerk, died Friday May 15, 2015, of causes incident to age. She passed away quietly in her sleep at home after visiting with family.
Born in Cappalappa, Moapa Valley, Nevada on February 10, 1919, Loretta was the eldest daughter of Elmer and Elizabeth Bowman. One of 11 children, Loretta helped in the family business in Logandale as a teenager, working as a store clerk.
She served a mission to Minnesota for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Later, in 1947, she took a job temporarily which led to working as a deputy county clerk in the Clark County Clerk’s office. While working as a deputy, she appeared on the television program “What’s My Line,” after awarding a marriage license to Bing Crosby and his bride Kathryn.
In 1965, she was appointed to fill an unexpired term as Clark County Clerk, and would serve eight consecutive terms before retiring in 1999 at the age of 79. She worked for Clark County for over 50 years. During that time, she oversaw major changes to the clerk’s office, and traveled extensively as a national officer of the National Association of County Recorders, Election Officials and Clerks. She was president of the organization in 1977-78. She was a lifelong Democrat, but was respected by those of both parties.
She remained single all of her life, until shortly after retiring as County Clerk at age 79, she married James Charles Hunt, who had been her sweetheart when she was young. They were together until his death in 2007.
Although primarily known as an elected official, Loretta knitted, quilted, and crocheted at a master level, making many intricate designs for family and friends. For many years, she took care of her aunt, who lived with her, and then supported her husband as his health went downhill. She was beloved by her family and respected in her professional capacity.
She is survived by her siblings: Lola Stiborek, Imogene Andersen, Mary Christensen, Melvin Bowman, and Murton Bowman. She is also survived by nieces and nephews who loved her like a second mother, and by her late husband’s children. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and siblings Elmo, Perry, Norma, Ruth, and Kenna.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, May 22, at the LDS Chapel at 375 N. Hollywood Blvd. (Stewart and Hollywood) in Las Vegas.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 23, at the Logandale chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3245 N Moapa Valley Blvd., with visitation prior to the service from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Logandale chapel.
Burial will be at the Logandale Cemetery under the direction of Moapa Valley Mortuary, 702 398-3600.
Friends and family are invited to sign an guest book at www.moapavalleymortuary.com.
